booklit’s Best Of 2007
Posted in Lists & Challenges
I sometimes feel that best of lists come too early and in the case of picking a best of list for 2007, many book bloggers seem to have compiled theirs already. I’m always optimistic that the next read will be a perfect ten, and with that in mind I’ve held off until the year was over and no more reading could be done. The following, in no particular order, are my picks from 2007’s reading; not 2007’s publications.
The Ice Palace, Tarjei Vesaas
“…a subtle gem, extremely unassuming, and, while it will no doubt mean different things to different people, they will all agree that it means something to them.”Gents, Warwick Collins
“… a novel that is perfect for reading over a single sitting. So enjoyable is it, that its chapters fly by, but its true strength is in its subtlety - it gets its ideas across without shouting, and does so in style.”The Welsh Girl, Peter Ho Davies
“…a huge surprise how assured and confident the author is with his material, with his characters, and with the questions he asks of his novel.”
Watch Me Disappear, Jill Dawson
“…the narrative is carried well by an efficient narrator who never once loses the thread of their story, which is one of sexual awakenings set around the need to confront the past .”
The Redemption Of Elsdon Bird, Noel Virtue
“…packs a lot in, its themes popping up and recurring as life develops and then disintegrates…a novel that will delight and horrify in equal measure, it’s worth making a necessity of this Virtue.”
“…on the surface it follows one man’s journey in understanding his humanity, its concerns are greater in scope, using Animal to focus on issues such as poverty, religion, and corruption without being didactic.”
The Devil In The Flesh, Raymond Radiguet
“…an accomplished piece of fiction, its all too believable story enhanced with a remarkable wisdom and punctuated with images that capture the essence of a doomed relationship…”
“…accomplished, sifting through history and returning only the worthwhile nuggets, rich in detail…prose style is pacy, the narrative racing along as quick as the Gold Rush itself no doubt happened.”
I Could Read The Sky, Timothy O’Grady, Steve Pyke
“…a work of art that accurately captures the exile’s experience through prose and photography. It’s a slim volume but that’s only because each picture is ample replacement for a thousand words. ”
A Tragic Honesty: The Life And Works Of Richard Yates, Blake Bailey
Sadly, no review, having read this prior to starting booklit.
Some more best of 2007 lists can be found at the following blogs:
- Asylum: Twelve From The Shelves: My Books Of 2007
- Book Chase: Final Top 15 Reads Of 2007
- dovegreyreader scribbles: These I have loved…fiction
- Kingfisher Scrapbook: The End Of The Affair
- Lizzy’s Literary Life: 10 Of The Best From 2007
- Other Stories: Top 10 Of 2007
- Reading Matters: Top 10s: My Favourite Fiction Reads For 2007
- So Many Books: 2007 Reading Stats
- Tales From The Reading Room: Best Books Of 2007
- The Millions: A Year In Reading
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January 2nd, 2008 at 9:47 am
This is a fantastic list, and one I’ll print off and keep. There’s several on there, including the Radiguet and the Ho Davies, that I’d already been longing to read.
January 2nd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
The Welsh Girl seems to be popping up on a lot of end of year lists. Must check that one out for sure. You have so many interesting ones on your list!
January 2nd, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Aww, how good that you’ve included links to others’ ‘best of…’ lists, too. It makes good comparison.
I’ve read two of your list, and agree with Watch Me Disappear. Unfortunately Animal’s People, whilst memorable and faultless in its writing and story, was not one of my favourites of this year. But a couple of those I am dying to get a hold of.
Sounds like you had a productive year! Hope 2008 is as exciting for you.
January 4th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Thanks for sharing your recommendations. I have the Jill Dawson calling to me from my shelf, but I must tease myself a little longer. And I really want to find ‘The Ice Palace’ but its a hard one to track down so far.
January 4th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
jem,
You can get it for half price if you contact Peter Owen direct. Best to order a few titles at half price, like I did, in order to make best use of the postage and packaging.